Gold Is Not The Next Disaster

The skeptics say that this commodity cannot go higher and a crash is inevitable. Abandon this tangible asset before it's too late, they cry.

I disagree.

For all practical purposes, gold is no longer a commodity. Instead, it is portfolio insurance in age of unprecedented anxiety and uncertainty. Gold is at a high price because high anxiety reigns. While some believe the good old days of calm are just around the corner, I believe this is not the case. The global economy is at an inflection point and as economic strength shifts to emerging markets, turmoil will continue.

Gold provides a hedge as the world changes.

One seldom discussed reality is that for many investors, gold is no longer just a commodity but now an alternative currency.

AP

Gold Bars

With concern about record deficits for the United States and Europe, central banks around the world are stockpiling gold as an alternative to paper money backed by fragile economies.

Gold stockpiles are now an important part of many countries currency reserves and this will surely continue if deficits remain high in developed economies. Demand is present for gold reserves.

It used to be that conservative companies like Berkshire Hathaway and General Electric were the type of safe investment that investors flocked to in times of uncertainty. While these assets (and all blue chip stocks) have merits, the relative safety of all equity assets has been called into question over the last two years. Economic and structural headwinds significantly impact corporations and this will not change for the foreseeable future.

I am not saying to give up on equity assets and fixed income positions.

Depending on your circumstances, these assets might make sense as you build a strategic allocation for the coming years. And it's important to have a commodity layer in your portfolio strategy as emerging market appetite continues to grow. Energy, industrial metals, food products, and other consumable assets all have a place in most investor's portfolio strategy. And look at gold as well.

Could gold fall in price?

Of course.

Any asset that has had the kind of run that gold has had could easily be hit with a correction.

Profits are not a straight line up and you would be wise to average into this asset with a long term view. Recognize that short-term speculation on precious metals is fraught with risk. Look at this asset as a long-term balancing asset for your strategy. Don't be tricked into believing, despite marketing campaigns and flashy advertisements, into believing gold is an automatic short-term profitable investment. There is no automatic investment that will guarantee returns including gold. Still, I believe that if one is patient, a long-term viewpoint will be rewarded.

Be just like central banks around the world and hedge your portfolio with a hard asset that has a lasting value.

Balance your portfolio. Consider gold as a strategic part of your investment plan.

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Michael A. Yoshikami, Ph.D., CFP®, is Founder, President, and Chief Investment Strategist of YCMNET Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisory firm (www.ycmnet.com). He oversees all investment and research activities of YCMNET. He is a respected lecturer speaking frequently on market issues, tactical asset allocation, and investment strategy. Michael and YCMNET were ranked as one of the top 100 investment advisors in the United States for 2009 and 2010 by Barrons. He appears regularly on CNBC and CNBC Asia and can be reached directly at m@ycmnet.com.